NEWS
Attendance: 90 members, 2 guests and 6 new members joined.
Roy Wall, Guild President, welcomed everyone to the March 2025 meeting. He once again reminded members that we need photos from those who have a “P” by their name on the attendance roster. Roy also announced that, due to the county elections board booking the library during the time of our next meeting, we will be meeting across the street at the Lakeland Community Church. He then opened the floor to members who had tools for sale. Several members brought in tools and generously requested that all proceeds from the sales go to the Tools for Teens fund.
April: Buddy Build Members are encouraged to partner with someone in the Guild who has a skill or craft they are interested in learning. Together, they can work on building a project with the guidance of their partner.
Dues We still have a significant number of members who have not paid their 2025 dues. Dues remain just $20.00 for the year.
Photos Although the number is decreasing, there are still about 10 members whose photos are missing from our online member directory. Having your photo in the directory is important, as not all members may remember names, but they can recognize faces and locate you in the directory if your photo is included.
PHILS FINDS
Phil shared a magnetic base holder from Harbor Freight that functions similarly to a Magswitch but costs only a third of the price.
Jay Helland presented a demonstration on how to create cove cuts using a table saw. A video of the presentation is available here.
PROGRAM
Jim Barb gave a presentation on using epoxy to enhance woodworking projects.
Epoxy Types: Jim explained the two main types of epoxy—deep-pour and tabletop—and discussed the pros and cons of each. He emphasized that epoxy should be kept warm (65 degrees or higher) to ensure proper pouring and flow. Cold epoxy is almost impossible to pour effectively.
Mixing Tips: Jim stressed the importance of avoiding whipping the epoxy during mixing to minimize bubbles. However, bubbles are inevitable when using deep-pour epoxy that’s too large for a pressure pot. To remove bubbles, Jim uses a torch or heat gun to heat the epoxy just enough to allow bubbles to rise to the surface. He cautioned against applying heat for too long in one spot, as it can burn the epoxy and ruin the project.
Pressure Pot Technique: Jim also described using a pressure pot, which uses compressed air to remove bubbles without needing heat. He demonstrated how he creates forms out of wood, covers them with wrapping tape, and uses these forms to craft turning blanks or other unique parts for his projects.
Preferred Products: Jim mentioned his preference for super clear epoxy and recommended mica powder for adding vibrant colors. He advised using mica powder sparingly, as a little goes a long way.
Thank you, Jim, for a fantastic presentation!
SHOW & TELL
Images of all the fantastic projects completed by our members can be found here.
